1From George Washington to Mrs. E. Gravatt, 29 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
...Wish, worthy themselves, to discharge all debts upon their Country! Surely, they cannot desire to deprive the Widow and Fatherless of their Right, especially those labouring under Penury and Imposition of the World. To you Sir, I prefer my Suit, trusting by this imperfect account, you will be able to collect Materials sufficient, for an Investigation of the Transaction, by which you will...
2George Washington’s Last Will and Testament, 9 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
...Falkirk.” Buchan wrote Washington that since he felt his “own unworthiness to receive this magnificently significant present,” he had secured permission of the donors, the Company of Goldsmiths, “to make it over to the Man in the World to whom I thought it was most justly due” (
3From George Washington to James McHenry, 25 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
...raising it, tread as close on the passage of the Law, as the nature of the case would have permitted, a finer army for the size of it (with the Discipline it might have received) the World had never Seen: but the golden opportunity is passed, & probably will never occur again. The zeal, enthusiasm, and indeed resentments, which warmed the breasts of the American youth, and would have induced...
4From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 25 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
such prices for Lands in that part of the world, I should have no objection to
5To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
...Army followed closely the passage of this Act; and Recruiting Orders had tread on the heels of that, the Men which might have been raised at that time, would in point of numbers have been equal to any in the world; inasmuch as the most reputable yeomanry of the Country were ready to have stepped forward with alacrity.
6From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 25 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
...Army followed closely the passage of this Act; and Recruiting Orders had tread on the heels of that; the Men which might have been raised at that time, would in point of numbers have been equal to any in the World;
7From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 15 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
Because the conduct of its Legislature in the Eyes of the World, will authorise the expression; because it is an incontrovertable fact, that the principle leaders of the opposition dwell in it; and because no doubt is entertained, I believe, that with the help of the Chiefs in other...
8From George Washington to Lafayette, 25 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
...laboured more incessantly, & with more sincerity & zeal than I did, to avoid this, and to render every justice—nay favor to France—consistent with the Neutrality which had been proclaimed to the World; Sanctioned by Congress; and approved by the State Legislatures and the People at large in their Town & County meetings. But Neutrality was not the point at which France was aiming; for whilst...
9Notes on an Interview with George Logan and Robert Blackwell, 13 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
...that we were driven to those measures in self defence, and asked him if the Directory looked upon us as worms; not even allowed to turn when tread upon? for it was evident to all the world that we had borne and forborne beyond what even common respect for ourselves required and I hoped the spirit of this Country would never suffer itself to be injured with impunity by any nation under the...
10To John Adams from George Washington, 25 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
...It could not be supposed that I was insensible to the risk I was about to run—knowing that the chances of losing, was at least equal to those of encreasing, that reputation which the partiality of the world had been pleased to bestow on me.—No one then, acquainted with these circumstances; the sacrafices I was about to make; and the impartiality of my conduct in the various walks of life,...
11From George Washington to John Adams, 25 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
...could not be supposed that I was insensible to the risk I was about to run—knowing that the chances of losing, was at least equal to those of encreasing, that reputation which the partiality of the world had been pleased to bestow on me. No one then, acquainted with these circumstances; the sacrafices I was about to make; and the impartiality of my conduct in the various walks of life,...
12From George Washington to James McHenry, 16 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
...require all your address to communicate the Subject in a manner, that Shall be unoffensive to his feelings, and consistent with all the respect that is due from me to him. If the General Should decline the appointment all the world will be Silent, and respectfully acquiesce—If he Should accept all the world except the Enemies of this Country will rejoice—If he should come to no decisive...
13From George Washington to Citizens of Greene County, Tennessee, 8 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
...the mild and pacific policy of America has been mistaken for Cowardice, and a base desertion of our Rights. But I trust that the injured spirit of our Country will now be roused, and that we shall shew to the world that we can and will support our Rights and the Government of our choice against all aggressions, and that we will yield our Independence only with our lives.
14From George Washington to John McDowell, 2 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
...one as he can be induced to pursue; & will contribute to his improvement, and the object in view. In directing the first, to these objects, a Gentleman of your literature, discernment & knowledge of the world, would be at no loss, without any suggestions of mine, if there was as good a disposition to receive, as there are talents to acquire knowledge: but as there seems to be in this youth...
15From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 15 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Peace, with all the world is my sincere wish. I am sure it is our true policy. and am persuaded it is the ardent desire of the Government. But there is a Nation whose intermedling, & restless disposition; and attempts to divide,...
16From George Washington to Henry Knox, 9 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
...as a wound to your feelings, might I not complain upon ground equally strong & hurtful to mine? brought as I was, without the least intimation, before the Public, after it had been Officially announced to the world, and I hope, believed, that my Soul panted for rest; and that the first wish of my heart was to spend the remnant of a life worn down with cares; in ease & contemplation? But...
17From George Washington to James Anderson (of Scotland), 25 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Thus situated—sustaining daily injuries—even indignities, with a patient forbearance, from a sincere desire to live in Peace & Harmony with all the World—The French Directory, mistaking the motives—the American character; and supposing that the
18From George Washington to Henry Knox, 16 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
...life, that I would forsake the ease & comforts which are essenl in old age—-encounter the toils & viscissitudes of War, with all its concomitants—and jeopardize the reputation which the partiality of the World has been pleased to bestow on me (—When the hazard of diminishing, is at least equal to the prospect of increasing it,) without securing such assistance as would enable me to go...
19To John Adams from George Washington, 4 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
...this seems to be the Age of Wonders! And reserved for intoxicated and lawless France (for purposes of Providence far beyond the reach of human ken) to slaughter its own Citizens, & to disturb the repose of all the World besides.—
20From George Washington to John Adams, 4 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
...this seems to be the Age of Wonders! and reserved for intoxicated and lawless France (for purposes of Providence far beyond the reach of human ken) to slaughter its own Citizens, & to disturb the repose of all the world besides.
21From George Washington to James McHenry, 4 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
...known that the viscissitudes of war, are not within the reach of human controul, and that the chances of adding to, are not greater than the hazard of taking from, that reputation the partiality of the World has been pleased to confer, for past Services: and that not prompted as I have observed in a former part of this letter—by motives of ambition, or Interest, to embark again on a theatre...
22From George Washington to James Lloyd, 25 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
I wonder the French Government has not more pride than to expose to the world such flimsy performances as the ministers of it exhibit, by way of
23From George Washington to Jeremy Belknap, 15 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
“As Mr Belknap is a man of character & abilities, writes well, and seems anxious to be correct in what he gives to the World, he merits encouragement, and Aid from those who have it in their power to afford it. If I was able to ⟨solve⟩ the queries contained in the extract, I would have ⟨asked no assistance;⟩ but...
24From George Washington to Sarah Cary Fairfax, 16 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
...permanent Seat of the Government of the United States (between Alexandria & Georgetown, on the Maryland side of the River). A situation not excelled for commanding prospect, good water, salubrious air, and safe harbour by any in the world; & where elegant buildings are erecting & in forwardness, for the reception of Congress in the year 1800....of the greatest & happiest nations in the world...
25From George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, 15 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
“A long & intimate acquaintance with this Gentleman enables me to introduce him to your Lordship’s civilities as one who possesses the best heart, & best intentions in the world. More I am sure, need not be said to insure him a favourable reception.
26From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
...term for which my present Miller is engaged, will expire; and it is not probable it will be renewed, as he is not, in the first place, though a pretty good Miller, the most industrious man in the world; and in the 2d place, requires an increase of Wages.
27Comments on Monroe’s A View of the Conduct of the Executive of the United States, March 1798 (Washington Papers)
in public and before the world,of sincerity do not require that we should publish to the world all our feelings in favor of France.
28From George Washington to Alexander White, 1 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
...are committed on our Commerce; the pacific measures, which have, invariably, been pursued to obtain redress—& to convince the French of our earnest wish to remain in Peace with them, & all the world—and the indignant treatment those efforts have met with, would have united all parties and all discriptions of men (except those who wish to see the waters troubled) in a firm & temperate demand...
29From George Washington to William Gordon, 15 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
...make my circumstances more easy (for the smallness of my income & the dearness of every article of life through increase of taxes &c. straiten me) besides proving serviceable as well as entertaining to the world. I should be careful to publish nothing, but what would add to the many evidences of the goodness of your character, tho’ not needed on that account; & to suppress whatever might be...
30From George Washington to Edward Newenham, 6 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
...cannot, or ought not, to give offence to anyone—offering while I am on this theatre, my sincere vows that the ravages of War, and the turbulance of passions may yield their sceptres to Peace and tranquillity, that the world may enjoy repose.